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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 16, 2007)
IO . justput... tlBRAUHv Ib.ÄHV_________ northwest Help at Hand Organizations reach out to domestic violence victims by Malka Geffen as the person seeking support, that can feel really “There is a sense that we can deal with this on any myths exist about domestic alienating. It can be lifesaving for someone to be our own rather than reporting to rhe police,” violence in same-sex relationships. able to stay within the community and connect It doesn’t occur nearly as often as Johnson said. “While the cycle of violence is pretty immediately with people going through similar much the same for same-sex couples as heterosexual within heterosexual relationships. things," she said. Adams added that the support The abuse is usually mutual. Same- j couples, there is the added component of the threat groups are completely confidential and a gixxl place sex domestic violence is sexual behavior—a form of to out someone or reveal their HIV status.” Bradley-Angle House provides survivors of to learn about patterns of abuse, develop safety sadomasochism—and is inherently consensual. domestic violence and sexual assault of all back plans and identify one’s own strengths. The fact is that violence within homosexual For cases with high risk of abuser re-engagement relationships is as common as with our heterosexu.il grounds, cultures, ages and sexual orientations a counterparts, hut support, prevention and protection continuum of supportive services. The women- or lethality, the Domestic Violence Enhanced battered-by-women support group has been a service Response Team works to keep the victim safe while services are fewer and less accessible. With the prevalent hesitancy to report incidents of domestic of Bradley-Angle since the early 1980s, and its sexu making the offender accountable. This two-year- violence within the sexual minorities community, it al and gender minority services program began in the old Multnomah County program, which screens is difficult to assess the need for more services and 500 cases a year and serves 120 of the highest-risk mid-’90s. Coordinator Melissa Adams joined the organi cases, has only provided assistance in a few same- a willingness of victims or batterers to use them. zation in November, bringing with her 10 years of “There definitely is some stigma attached to sex domestic violence cases, according to project being in a same-sex relationship with domestic experience working with domestic violence and manager Joslyn Baker. sexual assault. “So much abuse happens in our violence," said Sara Johnson, lesbian director of the “If you come to us, you’re asking for a very communities, and so little attention is given to it, ” Portland Police Bureau’s WomenStrength self specific type of intervention,” she said. “Once said Adams, who has been affected personally by i defense program. “There’s more hesitancy to report you’re in with .us, you're pretty much working with for fear of how it will be received by the police, that domestic violence. “We can provide anybody in the the police, and we believe they’re an effective part of prevention.” it will not be taken seriously or that police will queer community with peer support, advocacy, case management and help finding shelter.” accuse the wrong person.” Baker said the program makes itself available to Although officers are trained in issues of domes Adams believes it’s time to expand the program Queer Caucus and other advocacy groups to better tic violence specifically in same-sex relationships, to support more community members affected by serve the sexual minorities population. “We want Johnson said it can become more confusing for the abuse. “It is at my discretion to broaden the the victim’s voice to be at the forefront in the case, officer to identify the victim in a situation of two men program to include a men’s group, a group for self we let a victim know what different programs can or two women. She also points to the strong sense of identified elder lesbians, a genderqueer/trans group, do to help, we keep each case very individual, and community as a possible reason for apprehension. possibly one for youth—it depends on feedback and we advocate for each person no matter how it’s willing facilitators,” Adams said played out,” she added. during a recent Sexual Minorities Batterers within the queer community also have Roundtable meeting at the a place to find help. Choices, a local batterer’s Portland Police Bureau. “If intervention program, offers groups for male and people come forward and present female offenders and has developed a curriculum the need, I can step forward and for same-sex and trans batterers. “It’s just in the provide the programs." development stage and we’ve had no referrals yet, She explains the necessity for but we have the structure of the group ready to go representative groups in terms of and clients interested in switching over,” said the community’s relative size and director Christine Crowe. “People are generically isolation. “If the abuser is within court-ordered to batterer’s intervention, and then we’ll let them know the option is available.” © the same small network of people Pets of domestic violence victims are safely housed at the Oregon Humane Society. No Pet Left Behind Humane Society to the rescue Victims of domestic violence, gay and straight, face seemingly insurmountable challenges when trying to leave their situation. The thought of having to leave a pet behind with an abuser is enough to keep some people trapped. Because connections between human violence and animal cruelty exist, the Greenhill Humane Society in Eugene started the country’s first domes tic violence assistance program in February 1997. Manager Theresa Iverson said the organization works with representatives from Womenspace Domestic Violence Services and the Lane Council for Domestic Violence to assist victims with pets. The shelter will provide confidential foster homes at no charge for 30 days and require the pet to be spayed or neutered and get vaccinations, which the shelter provides pro bono, before leaving. “A lot of times people won’t leave abusers because they have pets, and some shelters can’t take animals or their relatives can’t take them,” said Iverson. “We’re here for the animals and to help the victims get things in order." According to spokeswoman Barbara Baugnon, the Oregon Humane Society in Portland offers similar assistance. “We work with the social work ers and caseworkers of the victims and will take the pet for two weeks free of charge,” she said. “People shouldn’t have to forfeit everything they love in their life just because they’re trying to flee an abusive situation.” © For more information about BRADLEY-ANGLE HOUSE support groups, contact Melissa Melissa Adams is the sexual and gender minorities services coordinator at Bradley-Angle House. Adams at 503-232-7805, ext. 3, tvhen it is safe to talk or leave a message with a safe To access G reenhill H umane S ociety ’ s phone number where you can be reached. You can also e-mail melissaa@bradleyangle.org. domestic violence assistance program, contact To learn more about the Domestic Violence Enhanced Response Team, call 503-988-6440 Womenspace at 541 -485-6513 or visit or e-mail joslyn.r.baker@co.mulnomah.or.us. For more information on the Choices www.enddomesticviolence.com. Visit the OREGON program call 503-239-7597 or visit www.choicesdvip.com. • HUMANE S ociety at www.oregimhumane.org. 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